Multiple-fuse holder for single-pole circuits.



H, WHEELER.

MULTIPLE FUSE HOLDER FOR SINGLE POLE GIROUITS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1909. 954,838,. I Patented Apr. 12, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

H. WHEELER. MULTIPLE FUSE HOLDER FOR SINGLE POLE CIRCUITS.

F APPLICATION FILED MAR..10, mos. I g54 338 Patented Apr. 12, 1910.

'3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Wihwooe H. WHEELER. MULTIPLE FUSE HOLDER FOR SINGLE POLE CIRCUITS. I

APPLICATION FILED MAR.10,1909. 954,838. Patented Apr. 12, 1910.

a SHEETSSHEBT a.

gnoenfoc )VaracaOV/Zaria a447, attornugs to, designate the number upon 'the fuse carrier.-

thefstructure and minor (let PATENT OFFICE.

IEIOR ACIEQ-\NI-IIEHEJILIER, 0F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF'NEW YORK.

MULTIPLE-FUSE HOLDER FOR SINGLE-POLE CIRCUITS;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent-ed Apr. 12,- 1910.

Application filed March 10,- 1905. Serial No. 482,578.

T 0 all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, HORACE \YHEELER, citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, inthe county of Hartford and State; of Connecticut, have invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Multiple- Fnse Holders for Single-Pole Circuit-s, of which the following is a specification.

This invention appertains to fuses :or

blow-outdevices adapted to be interposed in. electric circuits to protect electric apparatus from injury in the passage abnormal currentof electricity.

The present invention provides means of the character aforesaid embodying a plurality offuses in a single device, whereby in the event of ,one fuse blowing out, "another fuse may be quickly brought into .operative position to establish the circuit without the loss of time and danger experienced in re placing the usual single fuse by a new one.

The present invention contemplates a carrier provided with a series of fuses which are arranged'in pockets or compartments constituting sections .of :1 blow-out 'cham her, a stationary combustion section adapted to register-with any one of the pockets or compartments of the fuse carrier. to. isolate the fuse in circuit-from-the remaining fuses and electriccontacts one set of contacts for the-lead wires and another set for each fuse,.,

said contacts 'beingseparated when the fuse carrier is moved away from the combustion sect on of the blow-out charr'iber and 1n electrical engagement when the sections of the blow-out chamber are brought together,

means for automatically moving the fuse carrier to bring a new fuse in operative po-' sition, means for centering or fixing the position of the fuse carrier to insure registry of the setscfelectriccontacts and the sections of the .blow out chamber, means to prevent the ca sual'separation of the blowout chamber sections, and indicating means of fuses intact,

For'a' full understanding of the invention and; the m'erits'thereof, and alsoltoacquire a knowledge-of the details. of--construction. and the means for efiectin the result, reference is to be had to the fo lowing descripltion and accompanying drawings ile it e invention may be -s 1 dapted to .emmm ems "and con i b n wig-withou departing from the spirit or essential features thereofystill the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is aperspective view of a multi ple fuse holder embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the device, showing. the relation of the parts when the sections of the blow-ontchamber are together. F ig. .8 is a view similar to Fig. showing the position of the parts when the fuse carrier is moved outward and the sections of the blow-out chamber are separated. Fig. & isa transversesection on the line of. Fig. 3, looking in .tl1 e.direction .of the arrow. Fig. '5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of.Fig. 3, looking down. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6".'6-of Fig. 3, looking up. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the rack or carriage and handle, the latter being detached. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the fuse carrier, parts being separated andjarrangedin the relative position which they occupy when assembled." Fig. 9 1s a perspective view of the stationary combustion section of the blow-out chamber. Fig. 10 is a perspective View of a modified form of fuse carrier.

Corresponding and like parts are referred combustion section of the blowsout cham" ber isloo'a te 'ilfi the ent'ension2 .of the caS ;"mg and is formed of porcelain or other refractory material.- -The stationary conibus-. .tion isclo'sed at its top, hot-tom,

Back and-sides end has an opening 6 in its:

' end by means of a door 3 which may be 1 casing- 1 to slide backwa I is provided withnpper ower u front to register withany one of the pockets "or compartments of the fusecarrier; ;;The-- edges of the walls surrounding the open-. f ;,'ng 6 are supplied with al suit-able packing f asbestos or other heat-resisting material,

ofi :the heat and gases resulting fromthe blowing out of a fuse. -'Bindi ng posts :9 and 10 are fittedto the upper and lower ends of the extension Qand are ijmsul'atedthere from. t The lead wires of the 1 circuit are adapted to be connected to the binding posts.

Electric contacts 11 are attached tothemner' ends ofthe respective binding posts and may be of any construction which will insure positive connection-when the, coiiperati'ng contacts are in engagement. Thev contacts ll are of U frin,'the'ntembers o f-each being adapted to yield so as to A of the contacts 12'- att carrier. p I a a:

The rack or carriage .14 which are mounted uporr'the a light structure and is-ckiiistr ably of sheiatmetal and top-and bottomwithop ceivetheij ournals. of the. 16 project from the. top and carrier and extend throng-ho 4h door 30f the casing andfha y {likewise constructedoflsheet edge portions curved to "same, provides-smooth and V 'andtoobtein engagement. e-- arms 16. The-handle isldetachahlyconnected to the'arhis 1G to admit Ofi Op Q'HlIIgft-IIQ: door 3 to gain access -t o"th e interim-riot the Fil -t q i yffitted the ree casing and to provide for removal of-the rack or carriage from the casingwhen desired. The fuseca'rrier' 'preferahlyiappears own "axis, whereby in the ,forni of tea-spool or drum and ,is

mounted in'th'e rack" orfcarriage13 both for j --movement therewith and totumabout its royisioii is fhad ":for; bringing the several 1 sesin position asthev" are used or'bl'own. 'Thet'use carrier is pref-- era-bly constructed ofporcelain' or other r e fractory material; so as to resist the a*ct1 on of the heat and 'to prevent conduction. of, the current. .The'ifuse carrier com rises acore 18,-wing's 19 radiating froin't e core,

ends 20 and extensions 21, and 22 uponthe outer side of the-endsf20. The extensions 22 consist '0: E the} wings 19,;

ie'xtensions or ribs '22. a between the extensions 21' :contacts' 12 attached to the fuse carrier. 1 It its-to insure the formation of aclose joint .isnot essential that the ribs 22-b-e in line .The section ioppositegsides ie th TQS 1 ,whi

\ The'rack or carriage is slidable'within thecasin'gl'hy movingthahandle 1'7.'-in or out.

casing,- the end of-the dog I'nesh" 'withthe teeth of the" c g wheel 2't3s- A but tern'iinating short of the outer edges thereof. :The extensions 21 are in line wlth the core 18 and correspond in height to the The spaces formed with the wings 19, but such arrangement is preferable as, vthe spaces upon the outer sides of the end pieces 20 correspond with the pockets or. compartments inclosed between the wings 19. t Y

' Caps23 are fitted to the ends-20 and cover the extensions 21 and 22 and are formed upon their outer sides with circular projections 24 ,which constitute journals, since they arevmounted in the openings of the rack 'or carriage 13 and form parts about which the fusecarrier turns. "The caps'23 corre-, sp'ond'in dia meter to the diameter of the end pieces so as to, come flushtherewith.

Notches25 are'formed-in the rims of the caps} to receive the contact pieces-12, thereby admitting of the caps obtaining a close fit,

upon the endpie'ces 20.

I A-cog wheel 26 .issec1ired to the raised portion or jqlll'naliof the uppercap and a star" wheel 27 is similarly connected to the lowerjcap Both cogfwheel 2'6; and the star -Wl1ee127 are arranged exterior to the rack *or carria'ge; The contacts '12 are secured to the endpi'ecesQO--by,fastenings 28, which also serve to connect the fuse wires29 to said '7 contacts. Thei'inner endso'f the'contacts are widened son es; toabnt against the ribs 22 and- 'tI-ierebypreventf turning of-the contactsupon f 'ztastenings 28; lfilhevcont'acts "12 consist o, 1 th" f'use carrier so astovbe; clamped between spring "members-of the contacts 11.- The es liznclosed" between {the 1 ends and" the g'sHISJ pockets orcompartments chv receive the severalffuse' wires and chiconstitute{ sections of the blow-out,

The use carrier 1s automatically. turned the distance, of'a pocket or compartment each ';complete increment oftherack or carriage. .Th-is is eifected by means of--a ..d0g' 30 which i s pivoted at 31 ,to the 11 per side of the sing. toothed to light s ring 3'2 conne'cts the dog 30" witha part 0 the-casing; so as toreturn the same to normal position. A stopf33- limits-the rearward movement of thed g .30 Upon imiting the racklor carria'ge outward, with. reference to the cas ng; the toothed end of.

and 22 receive the the dog 30 engages with the teethfof'the" cog] wheel 26 and moves said cog wheel a sufii- 'cient distance, to bring the-neii't gtu'se in PO55: tion sothat the pocket or compartment; of the fuse carrier W111 register wlththe sectlon clear the dog 5 when the two sections comprising the blowout chamber are brought together, upon moving the rack or carriage forward. -\Vhen the rack or carriage is pushed inward or -5- forward, the toothed end of the dog 30 in mesh with the cog wheel 26 .moves inward therewith until the rackor carriage reaches 26 an moves the same, and the fuse carrier, asuflicient distance to brin .the next fuse in proper position tobe inclu ed in the circuit, when the carriage is again pressed .forward to bring the cooperating contacts and the sections of the blow-out chamber together.

i To insure registering'of the sections of the blow-out chamber, as also ofthe sets of con tacts 11"and12, centering-means arev provided, the same consisting of the star wheel 27and a cobperatin element, the latter consisting of a tapere de ression 34 provided in the lower portion of inner end thereof and adapted to receive the points or spurs of the said star wheel. As

30 "the-rack. or carriage is pushed forward a point srspur of the star wheel 27 enters the tapered de ression 34 and insures a correct -position -0 the fuse carrier, because should the latter be moved forwardtoo far or not 3'5 be moved forward sufficiently far, the inclined edges or'sides of the point engaging with the inclined edges of the depression 34 will correct. the error and insure moving the "fuse carrier either-backward or forward to I cause the sections of the blow-out chamber to accurately register. a y

'To prevent outward movement of the fuse' carrier by the force resulting from the burnin -out of a fuse, adetent mechanism is em 4'5 ployed for holding the carriagev and fuse carrier when moved inward: This detent 'mechanism consists of a stop anda catch 36, the latter being spring actuated' and having a button or finger piece 37 connected there- .50' with, the same being located exterior to the casing for convenience of operation. The stop 35.is centrally disposed, thereby serving to hold the carriage and fuse carrier, when moved inward, with any one of the 515' pockets or compartments in register withv the combustion. section 5. -When the carriage or rack is pushed inward and thefuse carrier makes closeconnection with the stationary combustion section 5, the stop 35 is 6 0 engaged by the catch 36. Before the car-.

riage may be drawn outward, it is necessary to release said carriage; this bein effected by pulling withdrawlng the catch 36 from ngagement with the stop 35, after which a p .111 upon the outward, the toothed end of the dog the casing near the the button 37 outwar thereby handle 17 moves the carriage or rack v with the fuse carrier outward;

It is to be understood that the-fuse carrier may be provided with any number of pockets or compartments forming sections of the blow-out chamber, and in order that the centering mechanism may perform'the' desired result, the star wheel 27 will; have as many points or spurs as there are p'ockets or compartments. To prevent the formation of anarc between the contacts after. afuse has been burned out, the fuse wire isdeflected from a straight line and one or more "bafiies 38' are interposed in the length of the pockets or'compartments. -The fuse wires may be deflected radially or laterally. The provision of the pockets. or compartments prevents interferencebetween the several fuses, sothat 'the' fuse-in circuit. may be burned out without affecting any other fuse in position upon the carrier. 7

After the carrier has been charged, that is, supplied with the required number .of

fuses, the door of the casing is closed and locked, after which the rack-or carriage is pushed forward to bring one'of the pockets or compartments of the fuse carrier'in registe'r with the stationary combustion section 5. This movement causes the'sets of contacts- 11 and 12 to engage and complete the circuit throughthe fuse wire ,inclo'sed by the blow.-

out chamber. The fuse carrier is positioned so that the lastfuse is the one first included in the circuit. This'is determined by numbers applied to=the upper cap of'tlre fuse carrier, 'one number being employed for each pocket or compartment ofthe fuse carrier and the numbers running consecutively and adapted to be-exposed through openings 39 and 40'formed in the top of the rack or carriage'and the-casing, respectively, said openings' registering when the carriage or rack is pushed inward. \Vhen a fuse is burned out, the gas and vapors evolved escape through the extension 8 of the combustion section 5 in the manner herein stated.

It willbe understood from the foregoing that a multiple fuse holder constructed and V capable of operation in the'manner specified,

possesses many advantages over a single fuse holderor like appliance. A fuse holder constructed in accordance with this invention when installed one motor car, admits of a fuse belng replaced 111 a minimum lengthof time without danger of the operator receiving a shock, even though thetrolley pole be' in position andboth switches closed. The

- terminals are rendered dead by withdrawal of the contacts 12 from the contacts 11 when the fuse carrier is removed for. reloading. It will be understood that the fuse carrier serves the double purpose of a switch, as also a holder for the fuses. It is also understood that the installed fuse is protected from drafts of air and thereby more liablev to that aninexperienced hand, Whenchargingthe fuse carrler, is not liable to cut the fuse fuse or burn out at the predetermined tempera-ture or capacity. Another advantage is wires bya too greatpressure u on the'bindf ing screws, nor are the fuses liable to blow prematurely by reason of insufiicient contact, and where cars are used having motors of diiferent sizes, the proper fuses maybe installed for each oftherespective cars. It is further noted that when the current carrying capacityv of a fuse has been exceeded,

the fusing'will take place in a chamber separated. from other fuses, the gases and. vapors be ng CfZllIIQCl off; below the binding. posts, therebypreventing thel'atter, as also the 111- jsulation, being injured by said gases.

, Having is claimed as newtisz 2O 7 chamber,

thus described the invention, what 1 A multiple fuse holder including a casing having a combustion chamber, and a rota ry carrier 'slidablymounted within the casing and provided withaseries sof -fuses adapted to register with said combustion 21 A multiple fuse holder including a cas- 'ing having a combustion chamber and provided with circuit contacts, a rotary fuse carrier fslidably mounted within the casing and provided 'w1th a series of fuses, contacts for each fuse adapted ,to make electrical con nection with the circuit contacts; and means v whereby any fuse may be brought into registr'ation" with the combustion chamber.

3.v Ina multiple fuse holder, the combinaftionflof a -fus'e carrier having a series of pocket or compartments, eachconsisting of a fuse 'cajrry'ingsection- ,and adapted to receive a fu se ,a cotiperating combustion secnon adapted to register-with each pocket or compartment of th'e'fuse carrier, and c0- 7 operating sets of contacts, one set being prov'1dedfor,-eacl1 fuse, thereby admitting of a adapted to make electric connection with the Stud circuit contacts, and means for impartfusebeing included in the circuit when the fuse carrienlistmoved to cause a pocket thereof to register withsaid combustion sectioii aiidcomplete the blow-out chamber.

' 4. In combination, a, pair of circuit contacts,,fa,.fuse carrier provided with a series of fuses, a pair of contacts foreach fuse ing both a slidingand a rotary movement to .the fuse carrier to admit of the several fuses being? brought lnto operative pos1t1on.-

a niultiple fuse holder the combination of apairhf] circuit contacts, a carriage,

' a fusecarrierinounted upon the carriage and movhble therewith and providedwitha series brid es and pairs of contacts therefor,

and means for 3 automatically. turning said fusecarrier, as the carriage 'is-reciprocated, to bring the several fuses mtdoperative-pm sitiom; u 6. A fuse holder includ i t ls neetchamber, contacts secured to the opposite 'ends of said chamber, a transverse baffle intion with the said circuit contacts, a centering means for the fuse carrier consisting of a star wheel attached to the fuse carrier, and a tapered depression for cooperation with the points of said star wheel.

8. A nultiple fuse holder including a casing, a pair of circuit contacts, a rotary fuse carrier slidablymounted within the casing V and provided with a series of fuses and'con' tacts' therefor, the latter adapted to make electric connection with the said circuit contacts, and means for automatically turning the fuse carrier during its reciprocal movements. y

9. A multiple fuse holder including a casing, a pair of circuit contacts, a rotary multiple fuse carrier provided with contacts for the several fuses adapted tomake electrical connection with the said circuit contacts, and a centering device for properly positioning said fuse carrier. I

10. 'In a multiple fuse holder, the combination of a stationary combustion section, a

multiple fuse carrier having a series, of

pockets, each adapted to register with the said stationary combustion section and form therewith a blow-out chamber, means for imparting movement to thefuse carrier to bring each-of its compartments in registry with said combustion section, and cooperating contacts for establishing the circuit tluough the fuse brought intooperative position.

' 11. A- multiple vfuse holder including a casing, circuit contacts, a rotary multiple fuse carrier slidably mounted Within the casing and provided with a series of fuses and contacts to make electrical conection with the said circuit contacts, means for moving the fuse carrier to bring the several fuses into operative position, and indicatingmeans to designate the number of live fuses mounted upon the carrier.

12. In a multiple fuse holder, the combination of circuit contacts, a rack or carriage, a fuse carrier mounted upouthe rack to movevtherewith and tr turn about an axis,

and means for turning h the fuse carrier simultaneously with the movement .of the rack. 1

1 3 In a multiple fuseholder, the combination of circuit contacts, a rack 'or carriage, jafuse carrier mounted upon the rack to move therewith and to turn about an axis, means for' turning the fuse carr1ersnnul taneously with the movement of the rack,

and centering-means for properly positioning thefuse carrier to insure registering of the cooperating; contacts. 14. In a multiple fuse holder, afuse carrier-comprising a series of pockets, each adapted to receive a fuse, caps fitted to the ends of'the fuse carrier and inclosing a space, extensions subdividing, said spaces to correspond with the number of pockets, and contacts located in the subdivision of said spaces and having connection with the re- Spective fuses, the free endsof the contacts being interposed between the carrier and caps respectively, and projected laterally beyond the eriphera'l edges-of said caps.

15. In a use holder, the combination of a-casing,circuit contacts fitted tothe casing,fla;"rack slidable Within the casing, a fuse carrierfprovided with a series of fuses, and contacts for the several fuses adapted to makeelectrical connection with the said'ci1 cuit contacts, said fuse carrier being mounted in the rackto turn, means exterior tothe rack and comprising complementali parts, one attached to the fuse carrier and the other to the casing forturning thefuse ,carrier, and centering means exterior to the [rack for'properly positioning the fuse car 1181 and comprising cooperatnig complemental parts, the one attached to the carrier and the other to the casing.

' means v nation of a; inbustiomsection, a fuse carrier having a series. of pocketsl-feach providedavith, a his d contacts the fuse-cal rier adapted to be moved to-brh'ig each of its pockets section orm a blow-out chamber, and holding the fuse carrier when positioned to prevent its displacement or movement when'a fuse is blown.

17 .In a multiple fuse holder, the combination with a casing, a stationary combustion section located therein and having a a tubular opening through the casing, a fuse carrier having a series of pockets and adapted to be movedf'to bring the severalpockets in register with thecombustion section to form a blow-out chamber, circuit contacts fitted to the casing, other contacts for each pocket and fuse carrier and adapted to make electrical connection with said circuit contacts, means for turning the fuse carrier, centering means to properly position the fuse carrier to insure registering of'the cooperating contacts and the sec tions comprising the blow-out chamber, and means for securing the fuse carrier against accidental displacement;

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HORACE WVHEELER. [n s] lVitnesses:

V. H. LITTLEFIELD, 'EDwD. RV. LEXDIX.

ti-ple fuse holder, the combri register with the said combustion 

